Got back from my golf trip last night. Fantastic time. Unfortunately my back did not hold up and I couldn't finish the round at the best course we played and then struggled to play the next and final day of the trip. here is a breakdown:
Day 1: lunch at Shapiros. So good. If you are ever in Indy you must go there. Best corned beef and pastrami around, even better than any you can find in Chicago. Then we played The Fort. Very nice course to play on the travel day. Great way to get everyone's feet wet. I played pretty good considering I spent 3 hours in the car prior to the round. Shot an 88.
Dinner was at the famous St Elmo's steakhouse. It was good, but I would say it was average at best compared to fancy steakhouses in Chicago. Steak was great, but the sides and apps were not up to the standard I would expect at a fancy steakhouse.
Day 2: Drove to French Lick. Afternoon round at Donald Ross. Amazing course, some of the toughest greens you'll ever play. This was my 3rd time playing it so knew what to expect. 2 club wind most of the day. Played my best round of the weekend and finished with an 85, my first time breaking 90 at this course. Dinner was at Hagans in teh clubhouse. Great ribs.
Day 3: 18 hole scramble at Valley Links. Its' a 9 hole course next to hotel, but we played it twice. I played pretty good, had a great up and down for eagle where I hit a 190 yard hybrid to 40 feet and then drained the putt. Had lunnhc and then a 20 minute rest before heading to the famous Pete Dye course for 4:00 round. My back said "Fvck you" to me and decided to call it quits. Lots of throbbing pain in lower back and also sciatic pain going down leg. Game fell apart and when that does it always leads to uncontrolled hozzle shanks. Had about 8 of them before I finally called it quits on #17 tee box. I was tracking for 100+ and they gave me a 102 which was generous.
Dinner at Legendz sports bar, one of the only halfway decent places to eat in town.
Day 4: final round at Sultan's Run. Love this course. But, I gave myself a 30% chance of finishing. i was hapy that I was able to finish, but my back continued to be a mess and I had about 6 shanks. Several other fat shots because that is the only way I can recover from the shanks. Finished with a 96, but was just happy I finished.
A great trip, great bunch of guys. Only knew 2 of the guys going in, met the other 6 there and by day 2 we were all buddies. Already talks about next year's plans. Wish my back held up, but it is what it is. This is my 3rd trip to French Lick and the 2nd time my back stopped me from playing. Might have to axe French Lick from the rotation. Thinking maybe all the driving is leading to the quicker decline of my back as the weekend progresses.
